THOMASVILLE — In December 2011 another class of pharmacy technology students graduated from Southwest Georgia Technical College (SWGTC). Graduates were honored in a pinning ceremony on December 15th and included Natalie Banks, Kimberly Hurst, Sarah Green, Samantha Phillips, Latrice Daniels, and Charshayla Henry. This graduating class experienced an exceptional honor by having 100% pass rate on their Pharmacy Technician National Certification Exam.

“Our College’s tradition of having high pass rates on occupational boards and certification/licensure exams continues with the 100% pass rate for our latest Pharmacy Technology graduates. This is an outstanding accomplishment by our graduates on the national certification exam and allows them to move forward into their careers as pharmacy technicians,” commented SWGTC President Dr. Craig Wentworth.

Because this entire class passed the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, which is

offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), they are now all

Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhT). According to the Pharmacy Technician

Certification Board, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Program enables technicians

to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer safe and effective patient care and

service. Certification is achieved by meeting specific eligibility requirements and earning

a passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). The PTCB

certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies

(NCCA).

“I am very proud of my students’ accomplishments and the hard work they put into

completing the Pharmacy Technology program and passing the certification exam. They

will make great pharmacy technicians and be a great addition to the profession. I wish

them all the best,” Dr. Amy Ryan, SWGTC Pharmacy Technology Program Director and

Instructor.

The SWGTC Pharmacy Technology degree, which can be completed in five semesters,

provides an individual with the skills required for success in a retail pharmacy or a

hospital-based pharmacy department. With this degree, graduates are prepared to

function as pharmacy technicians in positions requiring preparations of medications

according to prescription under the direction of a pharmacist.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for Pharmacy Technicians will

grow about 32 percent by 2016.

For more information on the Pharmacy Technology Program at Southwest Georgia

Technical College please call (229) 225-5060 or visit www.southwestgatech.edu.

Southwest Georgia Technical College is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.